This said, we should not forget that such human errors and misjudgments do occur. The real world we live in is not perfect. Sometimes, mistakes lead to near-misses. At other times, the same mistakes have more serious consequences. Still, I hope for a blessing in disguise. And this, I contend, is not a moot point.

Why do I say so? Let us not forget that Singapore is still one of the safest countries in the world. In Britain, the authorities recently warned that security agencies are monitoring about 30 active terrorist cells. I am sure Singapore is nowhere near that situation.

In finding the underlying cause of the escape, the Committee of Inquiry threw up several blind spots - mistakes that could have had even more serious consequences. It is reassuring that prompt action has been taken to replace the officers responsible for Mas Selamat's escape. This is a critical first step to break the culture of complacency that has crept into Whitley Road Detention Centre. In addition, I have no doubt the Internal Security Department (ISD) will put in place measures that go beyond the recommendations by the committee.

Foreign investors have not wavered in their confidence in Singapore, knowing we will learn from this experience. I have confidence the ISD will pick up the pieces. Why this confidence? First is the transparency demonstrated by Mr Wong when he shared the committee's findings. Second is the Government's decision not to duck problems, but, in the words of Mr Wong, 'to get to the bottom of problems, to find the cause of it, to solve it and then to take actions to ensure that similar problems do not recur'.

Peng Jiarong